Reaching Full Bloom

Happy Hump Day!

Hoping everyone is enjoying their week so far. 

I love kimonos. 

It's funny because when I found this number at H&M a few months back, 'A' asked me what it was. LOL. As he critiqued me for my soon to be purchase, I told him it was fab and to his surprise the gal who checked us out had this same one on! Ha! I laughed and told him I was not the only one who thought it was perty :) 

As we all are aware - floral prints are definitely here to stay. 

There are so many pastel prints that I want to add to my collection for spring. And although the weather here in Minnesota is still chilly, it has been warming up! (Try 40 degrees - practically bathing suit weather to us!)

As much as I love the pretty snow, I cannot wait for the season to change. It's actually one of the few changes I welcome with open arms. A lot of times, we as humans are so afraid of change. Like for example, at your workplace when you hear about a process that is changing - many people immediately buck at the thought of having to adjust their lives and do something a different way!

But, why?

I think a lot of times we lack the understanding to properly accept and embrace the change. You see true understanding brings about change. 

Por ejemplo - If at your job they explained that the reason the change is being implemented is because it will decrease errors and increase productivity - meaning less work on your end - what would you do? And let's just say your employer gave you the choice to keep the old platform or make the change...

I know I would likely be kind of annoyed, but I would accept the change. 

I mean less work is less work...

How about a more complex example?

Say you're in an unhealthy relationship. 

You're being treated poorly and up until this point you've accepted that's just the way your partner is and this is how the relationship will go.

Well, let's say one day you opened up your bible and read what your true value as a woman is. (Proverbs 18:22; 31:10) And you started to truly understand and believe your worth. 

You start to understand that you don't deserve to be treated poorly, and you are better than this. 

Would that make you require a change in your relationship?

When you truly believe something, it brings about a change in you.

First your mind is changed and renewed, and then it causes an action to take place.

Kimono - H&M

Black Tank - Heartbreaker

Black Fleece Leggings - TJ Maxx

Black Heels - Bebe

Now let's take it one step further. A personal example of my own. 

I recently had been struggling within myself thinking I was not good enough in my walk with Christ. Getting down on myself for slacking on dedicated time for prayer, reading my bible, and/or seeking Christ as much as I felt I needed to. 

I reached out in prayer, thanking God for keeping me and repenting - telling Him I felt I wasn't doing enough in my walk for Him and that I had felt guilty that even with a new baby I wanted to show Him I was committed to Him and living for Him. 

And guess what? I was immediately hushed. 

God put in my spirit that He didn't ask me to do anything more than what I was doing. We often get into a form of just doing things as a tradition or in a form of religion, and that is not what God wants us to do at all. He truly wants a personal, spiritual relationship with each and every one of us. 

He wants to guide our steps in everything from the way we curl our hair to what we cook for dinner. He showed me that as long as I am keeping Him first in everything and asking Him for guidance I am doing great. He explained when He asks something of me, then I must obey. He explained that I should not feel condemned ever. I chose to live for Him and because of this choice and my faith in who He is; He will work to shape me each and everyday. 

He led me to read John, and confirmed it in John 3:18 & 21.

See Christ was not sent to condemn us, but to save us (17). When we believe and follow Him, we are not condemned (18). Before I came to Christ, I didn't want to come to the truth/light because of fear that my deeds would be rebuked and I'd be scolded. But what Christ shows us is through Him, we can bring our deeds to Him openly, so that He can teach us and shape us to reach full bloom (21).

How does He shape us? He points us to keep His commandments and to do those things that are pleasing to Him.

Wow! 

Did you know it is pleasing to Him for me to have faith and believe this!? 

As God gave me this understanding it truly opened my eyes. I now believe this and have a deeper understanding. It  immediately brought about a change in my mind. And now I can walk boldly in Him and know that I am doing everything right in His eyes.

 What a great God I serve! What's awesome is that it's not just for me - it's for everyone!!

Hope you have a great day!!

linking up:

Funday Monday, Creative Monday, Monday Bloom, Style Sessions , Trend Spin, I feel pretty, What I Wore, Tucker Up, Your Whims Weds,  Totally Posted Tuesday,, Three for Thursday, Fav Fashion Friday, Look what I got, Tre Chic, Working Girl Working Style,  Fashion Favorites, *All about you, Simply Lulu Style, Weekend Wind Down, Weekend Blog Hop, Stylish Saturday